Dental restorative formula selector and methods of use

ABSTRACT

A dental restorative formula selector including a formula matrix is disclosed. The formula matrix includes tooth shade markings and two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking. Each dental restorative formula includes at least one dental restorative composition code, and at least one dental restorative formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas provided includes at least two dental restorative composition codes. The dental restorative formula selector may provide a practitioner with multiple dental restorative formula options for restoring teeth using dental restorative compositions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/272,488 filedOct. 16, 2002, now allowed, the disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dental restoratives. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a dental restorative formulaselector for use in preparing a dental restorative and methods of usingthe same.

BACKGROUND

Dental restoratives include, for example, bridges, inlays, onlays,veneers, filling materials, composite materials, entire artificialteeth, etc. To repair or replace a damaged tooth, it is desirable tomatch the restored or replacement tooth to approximate the originaltooth's color or shade characteristics.

Practitioners typically use a shade guide to aid in matching the dentalrestorative to the patient's existing teeth. In general, a shade guideincludes a number of tabs, teeth, or other indicia that each show adifferent shade. The shade guide may, in some instances, provide adental restorative formula for matching a particular shade. Thepractitioner then prepares the dental restorative of the given shadeusing the provided dental restorative formula and applies the dentalrestorative according to techniques known in the art.

New dental composite systems for preparing dental restoratives are oftencreated with a layering technique in mind. It has been found that teethtend to have varying shades, translucency, and opacity through theirstructures. To approximate these variances, practitioners may layerseveral dental restorative compositions of varying shades to provide amore natural looking dental restorative that blends well with thepatient's existing teeth. When utilizing the layering technique,different body, dentin, enamel, and incisal shades and opacities mightbe used. However, when presented with a system of thirty or moredifferent shades and opacity options, the practitioner needs guidance asto which shades are most appropriate and which dental restorativecompositions to use.

Further, not all dentists are willing to perform this multi-layeringtechnique, particularly if the technique requires the use, e.g., ofthree or more different dental restorative compositions. In addition,not all restorations are of a size and/or location that require amulti-layer approach.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a dental restorative formula selectorincluding a formula matrix. The dental restorative formula selectorprovides multiple options for a practitioner to prepare dentalrestoratives of different shades and opacities. A practitioner, usingthe dental restorative formula selectors of the present invention, isable to choose from two or more dental restorative formulas correlatedto each tooth shade for application to at least one tooth of a patient'steeth. At least one of the dental restorative formulas provided to thepractitioner for a selected tooth shade includes two or more dentalrestorative composition codes. The practitioner may then select therelative complexity of the formula to be used. In other instances, ifthe practitioner does not have one or more dental restorativecompositions required by a multi-composition dental restorative formula,then the practitioner may choose a less complex formula for the selectedtooth shade.

As used herein, a “dental restorative composition” is defined as acomposition that may be used to prepare a dental restorative.

As used herein, a “dental restorative composition code” is analpha-numeric code or any other indicia representative of a dentalrestorative composition.

As used herein, a “dental restorative formula” is a sequence or recipefor preparing a dental restorative. The dental restorative formulas ofthe present invention may include one or more dental restorativecomposition codes.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of identifying adental restorative formula. The method includes selecting a tooth shadeand providing two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to thetooth shade. Each formula of the two or more dental restorative formulasincludes at least one dental restorative composition code, and at leastone dental restorative formula of the two or more dental restorativeformulas includes at least two dental restorative composition codes. Themethod further includes selecting one dental restorative formula fromthe two or more dental restorative formulas as a selected dentalrestorative formula.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofidentifying a dental restorative formula, including selecting a toothshade, and providing a dental restorative formula selector including aformula matrix on a first major surface of a medium. The formula matrixincludes a plurality of tooth shade markings and a plurality of dentalrestorative formulas. Two or more dental restorative formulas of theplurality of dental restorative formulas are correlated to each toothshade marking of the plurality of tooth shade markings. The methodfurther includes providing two or more dental restorative formulascorrelated to the tooth shade using the dental restorative formulaselector. Each formula of the two or more dental restorative formulasincludes at least one dental restorative composition code, and at leastone dental restorative formula of the two or more dental restorativeformulas comprises at least two dental restorative composition codes.The method further includes selecting one dental restorative formulafrom the two or more dental restorative formulas as a selected dentalrestorative formula.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a dental restorativeformula selector. The dental restorative formula selector includes amedium including a first major surface and a formula matrix on the firstmajor surface of the medium. The formula matrix includes a plurality oftooth shade markings and a plurality of dental restorative formulas. Twoor more dental restorative formulas of the plurality of dentalrestorative formulas are correlated to each tooth shade marking of theplurality of tooth shade markings. Further, each dental restorativeformula of the plurality of dental restorative formulas includes atleast one dental restorative composition code, and at least one dentalrestorative formula of the two or more dental restorative formulascorrelated to each tooth shade marking includes at least two dentalrestorative composition codes.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a dental restorativekit, including a dental restorative formula selector. The selectorincludes a medium including a first major surface and a formula matrixon the first major surface of the medium. The formula matrix includes aplurality of tooth shade markings and a plurality of dental restorativeformulas. Two or more dental restorative formulas of the plurality ofdental restorative formulas are correlated to each tooth shade markingof the plurality of tooth shade markings. Further, each formula of theplurality of dental restorative formulas includes at least one dentalrestorative composition code, and at least one dental restorativeformula of the two or more dental restorative formulas includes at leasttwo dental restorative composition codes. The dental restorative kitfurther includes at least one dental restorative composition.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a dental restorativeformula selector computer system, including a display and a memorydevice. A formula matrix is stored in the memory device. The formulamatrix includes a plurality of tooth shade markings and a plurality ofdental restorative formulas. Two or more dental restorative formulas ofthe plurality of dental restorative formulas are correlated to eachtooth shade marking of the plurality of tooth shade markings. Thecomputer system further includes a controller in communication with thememory device and the display. The controller is operable to receive aselected tooth shade input, compare the selected tooth shade input tothe formula matrix stored in the memory, and provide the two or moredental restorative formulas correlated to the selected tooth shade inputusing the formula matrix. Each dental restorative formula of theplurality of dental restorative formulas includes at least one dentalrestorative composition code. Further, at least one dental restorativeformula of the two or more dental restorative formulas correlated toeach tooth shade marking includes at least two dental restorativecomposition codes. The controller is further operable to display the twoor more dental restorative formulas on the display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of one dental restorative formula selector accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of another dental restorative formula selectorincluding a selector element according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the selector element of the dental restorativeformula selector of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the medium of the dental restorative formulaselector of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the dental restorative formula selector ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another dental restorative formulaselector including a computer and display according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a dental restorativekit including a dental restorative formula selector according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in whichare shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention shall be generally described with reference to oneexemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1. Thereafter, various alternativeembodiments and examples of the present invention shall be describedwith reference to FIGS. 2-7.

While the present invention has application to any type of dentalrestorative or restorative technique, it may be used with dentalrestorative compositions such as those marketed by 3M Company, St. Paul,Minn.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative dental restorative formula selector 10according to the present invention. The dental restorative formulaselector 10 provides multiple options for preparing a dental restorativefor each tooth shade that approximates the shade of a patient's teeth.The different options may preferably vary in complexity, therebyproviding a practitioner with the opportunity to select a dentalrestorative formula that best suits the patient and the practitioner'stalent.

The dental restorative formula selector 10 may be presented on a medium20. The medium 20 may be any material known in the art for presentingmarkings or information to be viewed, e.g., paper, polymeric material,computer display, etc. Although depicted as rectilinear, the medium 20may be any suitable shape, e.g., circular, three-dimensional, etc.

The depicted medium 20 includes a first major surface 22. On the firstmajor surface 22 of the medium 20 is a formula matrix 30. The formulamatrix 30 includes tooth shade markings 40 and dental restorativeformulas 50. The tooth shade markings 40, which are provided in row 32of formula matrix 30, may, e.g., correspond to tooth shades on a shadeguide. As used herein, the term “formula matrix” may include anycollection of information or data that is organized in a way that aids apractitioner in selecting from dental restorative formulas correlated todifferent tooth shades for preparing dental restoratives.

As used herein, a “shade guide” is defined as a guide for determiningthe color and opacity of a patient's teeth. A typical shade guide mayinclude, e.g., an elongated, linear holder containing a plurality ofspecimens. Each specimen has a predetermined shade and hue for matchingwith the patient's natural teeth. Examples of shade guides are theVITAPAN classical shade guide manufactured by Vita Zahnfabrik, Germany,the VITAPAN 3D shade guide, the TETRIC CERAM shade guide manufactured byIvoclar/Vivadent, Germany; the ESTHETX shade guide manufactured byDentsply/Caulk, USA, and the FILTEK Z250 Universal Restorative shadeguide manufactured by 3M ESPE, USA.

The dental restorative formulas 50 preferably include several differenttypes of dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shademarking 40. For example, row 34 of the formula matrix 30 includes singlecomposition dental restorative formulas for each of the tooth shademarkings 40. In general, a single composition dental restorative formulais a formula including only one dental restorative composition code tomatch the selected tooth shade. For example, to match tooth shademarking “A3” using a single composition formula, the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1 provides the formula A3B. To implement the singlecomposition formula, a practitioner would then use only the dentalrestorative composition that is correlated to the dental restorativecomposition code “A3B.”

The formula matrix 30 also includes two-composition dental restorativeformulas, which are provided in row 36. For example, to match the toothshade B4, the formula matrix illustrated in FIG. 1 would provide atwo-composition formula of A6D+B2E. To implement this formula, apractitioner would first apply a layer of a dental restorativecomposition correlated to the dental restorative composition code “A6D.”The practitioner would then apply a layer of dental restorativecomposition correlated to the dental restorative composition code “B2E”over at least a portion of the layer of dental restorative compositioncorrelated to “A6D.”

Further, the formula matrix 30 includes multi-composition dentalrestorative formulas in row 38. Each multi-composition dentalrestorative formula includes at least three dental restorativecomposition codes that are applied by the practitioner in layers. Forexample, to produce a restorative having a tooth shade of A2, theformula matrix 30 provides a multi-composition formula of A2D+A2B+A2E+Yfor the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, each tooth shade marking 40 iscorrelated to three dental restorative formulas 50, where each dentalrestorative formula includes at least one dental restorative compositioncode, and at least one of the dental restorative formulas includes twoor more dental restorative composition codes. For example, the toothshade indicated as “A1” in formula matrix 30 correlates to the dentalrestorative formulas A1B, A1B+A1E, and A2D+A1B+A1E+Y. The dentalrestorative formula A1B includes one dental restorative compositioncode, the formula A1B+A1E includes two dental restorative compositioncodes, and the formula A2D+A1B+A1E+Y includes four dental restorativecomposition codes. In other words, the formula matrix 30 provides thepractitioner with several options correlated to a selected tooth shadefor matching a tooth shade.

Although the depicted formula matrix 30 correlates three differentdental restorative formulas 50 with each tooth shade marking 40, itshould be understood that other variations are possible. For example,the formula matrix 30 may correlate as few as two dental restorativeformulas to each tooth shade marking. In other alternatives, four ormore dental restorative formulas may be correlated to each tooth shademarking.

Although FIG. 1 does provide a formula matrix 30 having a specificcorrelation of tooth shades with dental restorative formulas, thoseskilled in the art will understand that the formula matrix 30 may bearranged in many different ways to accommodate different dentalrestorative compositions and tooth shade requirements.

It may be preferred that the formula matrix 30 include dentalrestorative formulas corresponding to each tooth shade that vary incomplexity. For example, it may be preferred that the different dentalrestorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade include one dentalrestorative formula with a single dental restorative composition code,and at least another dental restorative formula that includes two ormore dental restorative composition codes.

Although FIG. 1 depicts the formula matrix 30 as including the toothshade markings and the dental restorative formulas in rows and columns,those skilled in the art will understand that the presentation of theformula matrix 30 may include any form or arrangement that provides twoor more dental restorative formulas correlated to each selected toothshade marking.

In use, the practitioner may select a tooth shade using a shade guide asis known in the art. As used herein, a tooth shade may include both atooth's color and/or opacity. The practitioner matches the selectedtooth shade with a tooth shade marking 40 of the formula matrix 30. Oncethe tooth shade marking 40 is selected, the formula matrix 30 providestwo or more dental restorative formulas correlated to the selected toothshade marking. In other words, the formula matrix 30 provides thepractitioner with multiple options for preparing a restorative to matchthe selected tooth shade.

For example, to match a tooth shade of B1, the formula matrix 30provides the practitioner with a single composition formula in row 34(B1B), a two-composition formula in row 36 (B1B+B1E), and amulti-composition formula in row 38 (WD+B1B+B1E+Y). Although depicted asproviding a single composition, a two-composition, and amulti-composition formula for each tooth shade, the formula matrix 30may also include any number of formula options correlated with aselected tooth shade.

The practitioner would then select from the two or more dentalrestorative formulas provided and form the dental restorative using theselected dental restorative formula. For example, for dental restorativeformulas that include two or more dental restorative composition codes,the practitioner would apply layers of dental restorative compositionscorresponding to each dental restorative composition code in theappropriate sequence.

Although the formula matrix 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes one set oftooth shade markings 40, the formula matrix 30 may include more than oneset of tooth shade markings, where each set is based upon a differentshade guide, e.g., the VITAPAN classical shade guide manufactured byVita Zahnfabrik, Germany, the TETRI CERAM shade guide manufactured byIvoclar/Vivadent, Germany, etc.

The dental restorative formula selectors of the present invention may bepresented in various forms. For example, FIGS. 2-5 illustrate a dentalrestorative formula selector 100 according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. As illustrated, dental restorative formula selector100 includes medium 120 (as best illustrated in FIG. 4). Medium 120 issimilar in many respects to medium 20 of FIG. 1. Medium 120 includes afirst major surface 122 and a second major surface 123. The medium 120also includes a perimeter 124 and a center 126. Although depicted ascircular in shape, those skilled in the art will understand that medium120 may be any suitable shape, e.g., rectangular, oval, octagonal, etc.

The medium 120 further includes a formula matrix 130 on the first majorsurface 122. The formula matrix 130 is similar in design to formulamatrix 30 of FIG. 1. Formula matrix 130 includes tooth shade markings140 and dental restorative formulas 150. One of the differences betweenformula matrix 130 and formula matrix 30 of FIG. 1 is that tooth shademarkings 140 and dental restorative formulas 150 are arranged in agenerally circular pattern surrounding center 126.

Formula matrix 130 is arranged such that two or more dental restorativeformulas 150 are correlated to each tooth shade marking 140. Forexample, tooth shade marking A1 is correlated to single compositiondental restorative formula A1B, two-composition dental restorativeformula A1B+A1E, and multi-composition dental restorative formulaA2D+A1B+A1E+Y.

Each dental restorative formula 150 of formula matrix 130 includes atleast one dental restorative composition code. In addition, at least oneformula of the two or more dental restorative formulas correlated toeach tooth shade marking includes at least two or more dentalrestorative composition codes. In other words, the formula matrix 130provides a practitioner with two or more dental restorative formulas fora selected tooth shade marking, where at least one of the two or moredental restorative formulas includes a dental restorative formula havingtwo or more dental restorative composition codes.

The dental restorative formula selector 100 further includes a selectorelement 160 (as best seen in FIGS. 2-3). The selector element 160includes a first major surface 162, a second major surface (not shown),and a perimeter 164. The selector element 160 may be manufactured usingany suitable material known in the art, e.g., paper, polymeric material,laminate, etc. Although depicted as having a circular shape, selectorelement 160 may include any suitable shape, e.g., rectangular, oval,octagonal, etc. It may be preferred that selector element 160 have thesame or substantially similar shape to medium 120. Both the selectorelement 160 and the medium 120 are of a size that a practitioner maycomfortably grasp and operate the dental restorative formula selector100 as described herein. Further, although depicted as opaque, theselector element 160 may be manufactured using translucent materialssuch that all of the first major surface 122 of medium 120 is viewablethrough the first major surface 162 of the selector element 160.

The selector element 160 includes a center 167. The center 167 andperimeter 164 define radial axis 166. An input window 170 is located onthe first major surface 162 of the selector element 160 proximate thecenter 167 along axis 166. Also located along axis 166 are three outputwindows 172. The three output windows 172 include a single shade window174, a two-shade window 176, and a multi-shade window 178. The threeoutput windows 172 may be in any order along axis 166. Further, thethree output windows 172 and the input window 170 may also be located onfirst major surface 162 such that they do not lie along any particularaxis. Although depicted as including three output windows 172, theselector element 160 may include any suitable number of output windows172. For example, all of the different dental restorative formulascorrelated to a tooth shade may be viewed in a single output window.

The second major surface of the selector element 160 is adjacent thefirst major surface 122 of medium 120 such that selected tooth shademarkings and dental restorative formulas on the first major surface 122of the medium 120 are viewable through the input window 170 and at leastone of the three output windows 172 of the selector element 160. Theselector element 160 may be rotatably connected to medium 120 usingconnector 168 located proximate center 167 of the selector element 160and center 126 of medium 120. The connector 168 may be any suitableconnector known in the art, e.g., rivet, snap, pin, etc.

When the second major surface of the selector element 160 is locatedadjacent the first major surface 122 of medium 120, the dentalrestorative formula selector 100 is operable such that a practitionermay move selector element 160 and medium 120 relative to each other toview a selected tooth shade marking 140 in the input window 170. If theselector element 160 is rotatably connected to medium 120, then apractitioner may rotate the selector element 160 relative to the medium120 to select a particular tooth shade marking 140 in input window 170.

The selector element 160 is configured to be moved such that a selectedtooth shade marking 140 is viewable through the input window 170, as isillustrated in FIG. 2. Further, at least one dental restorative formula150 correlated to the selected tooth shade marking 140 is viewablethrough at least one output window of the three output windows 172. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, tooth shade marking C1 is viewable through inputwindow 170. Selected tooth shade C1, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, is correlated to single composition formula C1B, two-compositionformula C1B+B1E, and multi-composition formula WD+C2B+B1E+G. The singlecomposition formula is viewable through the single shade window 174, thetwo-composition formula is viewable through the two-shade window 176,and the multi-composition formula is viewable through the multi-shadewindow 178. In other words, for selected tooth shade C1, thepractitioner is provided with two or more dental restorative formulas,where at least one of the two or more dental restorative formulasincludes two or more dental restorative composition codes.

The selector element 160 illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 includes a clear ring171 that allows all of the tooth shade markings 140 to be viewedsimultaneously. This may allow the practitioner to more convenientlyselect a tooth shade marking 140 by moving the selector element 160until the desired tooth shade marking 140 is viewed in the input window170.

The selector element 160 may include various indicia 180 that are placedon the first major surface 162. Such indicia 180 may include informationrelevant to the layering process of the dental restoratives being used.Further, the second major surface 123 of medium 120 may also includevarious indicia 128 (as seen in FIG. 5).

The dental restorative formula selector 100 may further be presented inany suitable shape or configuration. For example, the selector element160 may include two separated layers where the medium is located betweenthe two layers to form a linear slide rule configuration.

FIG. 6 illustrates a dental restorative formula selector system 200according to another embodiment of the present invention. The system 200may be any suitable hardware- or software-based, or a combination ofhardware- and software-based system known in the art. The system 200includes a controller 210, a display 220 in communication with thecontroller 210, and memory 230 also in communication with the controller210. Stored in memory 230 is a dental restorative formula selectorincluding a formula matrix as described herein.

The controller 210 may be any microprocessor-based computer. Forexample, controller 210 may be a desktop system, a website server, apersonal digital assistant, etc. The display 220 may be any viewabledisplay known in the art. For example, the display may be a typical CRTdisplay or flat panel for a desktop computer system, or the display mayinclude a web-based page or series of pages operable to display thedental restorative formulas described herein. Further, the memory 230may be any suitable data storage device known in the art. For example,the memory 230 may be a drive, RAM, ROM, DVD drive, etc.

In general, the controller 210 is operable to receive a selected toothshade input from a practitioner as is described herein. The selectedtooth shade may be inputted using any device known in the art, e.g.,keyboard, mouse, voice recognition, etc. The controller 210 compares theselected tooth shade input to the formula matrix stored in the memory230. The controller 210 provides two or more dental restorative formulascorrelated to the selected tooth shade input using the stored formulamatrix. Each formula of the two or more dental restorative formulasincludes at least one dental restorative composition code, and at leastone formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas providedincludes two or more dental restorative composition codes. The two ormore dental restorative formulas may include a single compositionformula, a two-composition formula, and/or a multi-composition formulaas further described herein. The controller 210 displays the two or moredental restorative formulas on the display 220 for the practitioner. Thepractitioner may select at least one of the two or more dentalrestorative formulas provided on the display 220 to prepare a dentalrestorative to be applied to one or more of a patient's teeth.

Further, the dental restorative formula selectors of the presentinvention may be included in a dental restorative kit. FIG. 7illustrates a dental restorative kit 300 according to one embodiment ofthe present invention. The kit 300 may include a dental restorativeselector 310, e.g., dental restorative selector 100 of FIGS. 2-5, and atleast one dental restorative composition 320 used to prepare dentalrestoratives. The kit may optionally include a tooth shade guide 330 asfurther described herein.

All references and publications cited herein are expressly incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety into this disclosure. Illustrativeembodiments of this invention are discussed and reference has been madeto possible variations within the scope of this invention. These andother variations and modifications in the invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art without departing from the scope of theinvention, and it should be understood that this invention is notlimited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly,the invention is to be limited only by the claims provided below.

1. A dental restorative formula selector, the selector comprising: amedium comprising a first major surface; a formula matrix on the firstmajor surface of the medium, the formula matrix comprising: a pluralityof tooth shade markings; and a plurality of dental restorative formulas,wherein two or more dental restorative formulas of the plurality ofdental restorative formulas are correlated to each tooth shade markingof the plurality of tooth shade markings, wherein each dentalrestorative formula of the plurality of dental restorative formulascomprises at least one dental restorative composition code, and furtherwherein at least one dental restorative formula of the two or moredental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade markingcomprises at least two dental restorative composition codes.
 2. Theselector of claim 1, wherein the selector further comprises a selectorelement comprising: an input window; and at least one output window,wherein the formula matrix and the selector element are movable relativeto each other such that a selected tooth shade marking of the pluralityof tooth shade markings is viewable through the input window, andfurther wherein at least one dental restorative formula correlated tothe selected tooth shade marking is viewable through the at least oneoutput window.
 3. The selector of claim 2, wherein the medium furthercomprises a circular shape, wherein the selector element furthercomprises a circular shape, and further wherein the selector element isrotatably connected to the medium.
 4. The selector of claim 1, whereinat least one of the two or more dental restorative formulas correlatedto each tooth shade marking comprises a single composition dentalrestorative formula.
 5. The selector of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each toothshade marking comprises a two-composition dental restorative formula. 6.The selector of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two or more dentalrestorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking comprises amulti-composition dental restorative formula.
 7. A dental restorativekit, the kit comprising: a dental restorative formula selector, theselector comprising: a medium comprising a first major surface; aformula matrix on the first major surface of the medium, the formulamatrix comprising: a plurality of tooth shade markings; and a pluralityof dental restorative formulas, wherein two or more dental restorativeformulas of the plurality of dental restorative formulas are correlatedto each tooth shade marking of the plurality of tooth shade markings,wherein each formula of the plurality of dental restorative formulascomprises at least one dental restorative composition code, and furtherwherein at least one dental restorative formula of the two or moredental restorative formulas comprises at least two dental restorativecomposition codes; and at least one dental restorative composition. 8.The kit of claim 7, wherein the kit further comprises a tooth shadeguide comprising a plurality of tooth shades, wherein each tooth shadeof the plurality of tooth shades is correlated to each tooth shademarking of the plurality of tooth shade markings of the formula matrix.9. The kit of claim 8, wherein the kit further comprises a selectorelement comprising: an input window; and at least one output window,wherein the formula matrix and the selector element are movable relativeto each other such that a selected tooth shade marking of the pluralityof tooth shade markings is viewable through the input window, andfurther wherein at least one dental restorative formula correlated tothe selected tooth shade marking is viewable through the at least oneoutput window.
 10. The kit of claim 9, wherein the medium furthercomprises a circular shape, wherein the selector element furthercomprises a circular shape, and further wherein the selector element isrotatably connected to the medium.
 11. The kit of claim 7, wherein atleast one of the two or more dental restorative formulas correlated toeach tooth shade marking comprises a single composition dentalrestorative formula.
 12. The kit of claim 7, wherein at least one of thetwo or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shademarking comprises a two-composition dental restorative formula.
 13. Thekit of claim 7, wherein at least one of the two or more dentalrestorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking comprises amulti-composition dental restorative formula.